GPL: Asante Kotoko Appoint Eric Tinkler as New Head Coach – Africa Top Sports

GPL: Asante Kotoko Appoint Eric Tinkler as New Head Coach

📅 July 17, 2026
 • 
👤 King
 • 
📁 Ghana
 • 
🕑 3 min read

Asante Kotoko Sporting Club have officially announced the appointment of experienced South African coach Eric Tinkler as the club’s new head coach with immediate effect.

The Porcupine Warriors confirmed the appointment in a statement released on Friday, July 17, describing Tinkler as a “world-class coach” with an impressive coaching pedigree, vast top-flight experience and a distinguished playing career at the highest level.

Tinkler, a Portuguese-South African, arrives in Kumasi with more than three decades of elite football experience and holds a CAF A Licence. A former captain of South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, he has managed several of the country’s biggest clubs, including Cape Town City FC, SuperSport United, Maritzburg United, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits.

During his coaching career, Tinkler guided Orlando Pirates to a CAF Champions League runners-up finish and SuperSport United to the CAF Confederation Cup final. His domestic achievements include MTN8 titles and a Telkom Knockout winners’ medal, further underlining his credentials.

As a player, Tinkler earned 48 international caps for South Africa, captaining the side at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and representing his country at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He was also part of the historic Bafana Bafana squad that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations. His club career saw him feature in England, Italy and Portugal for Barnsley FC, Cagliari Calcio and Vitória de Setúbal.

Kotoko noted that Tinkler’s reputation for tactical discipline, structured methodology and player development aligns with the club’s ambitions as he prepares to work alongside Director of Football Stanley Menzo in building a competitive side capable of sustained domestic and continental success.

Board Chairman James Osei Brown welcomed the new coach, describing him as a leader who brings experience, discipline and a proven winning mentality. He added that Tinkler’s record of developing players and delivering results makes him the ideal candidate to lead the club into its next chapter.

The appointment signals Asante Kotoko’s intent to strengthen their technical leadership as they prepare for the upcoming campaign, with the club expressing confidence that Tinkler’s experience and vision will help restore the Porcupine Warriors to sustained success.